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Todos trabajamos juntos! Everyone works together in Handy Manny's repair shop. A work-together tool party is perfect for preschoolers who are learning all about cooperative play and sharing.
Use decorations in yellows, oranges, and browns - handyman colors - and simple items that guests can "tinker" with.
Your party area can include:
| Yellow "Caution" tape (found at hardware stores). This is great for clearly marking the party area for children and zoning off areas you don't want them to enter. |
| Balloons and streamers in your handyman colors |
 | | Pictures of Handy Manny and the tools hung throughout the room. (available here) |
| Baskets or wooden caddies filled with plastic tools |
| Big plastic "workmen" trucks |
| Tinker toys, blocks, Legos, or Lincoln Logs for building |
 | | Print out our paper placemats here. Customize by putting each child's name on one. |
| A piñata - make your own using the instructions below or purchase one. Be sure to hang the piñata in an open area. |
| Handy Manny clothes! Get children into the theme by asking them to dress like a Handy Manny. As each child arrives at the party, give them clothes such as old plaid shirts (try your local thrift store), baseball hats, tool belts (make your own using the instructions below), and yellow work gloves (dishwashing gloves in the smallest size work fine). |
Handy Manny's heritage is Latino, and piñatas are a standard in Mexican celebrations, especially at birthday parties. You can make or buy piñatas in all sorts of shapes (everyday objects, your favorite cartoon characters, vehicles, etc.). Fill them with toys and candy, and you're all set for some piñata fun! If you want to make a piñata, have these materials on hand:
- 2 cups flour
- 3 cups water
- 1 balloon
- Newspaper cut into many one-inch strips
- Paint, crayons, markers, glitter, and stickers
- Colored crepe paper (party streamers work well too)
- String
- Rope
Instructions:
Note that these instructions will produce a round piñata. To make unusual and more creative shapes, consider using small lightweight boxes, paper towel tubes, small round plastic containers, etc.
- Blow up a large balloon and tie a knot at the end to prevent air from escaping.
- Mix the flour and water together until it makes a smooth paste. It should be the consistency of a milkshake.
- Dip newspaper strips into the flour-and-water paste.
- Carefully place the strips on the surface of the balloon until the balloon is completely covered except for one four-inch square that remains uncovered.
- Set aside and let the balloon dry completely. This might take up to one day to dry.
- Place another layer of newspaper dipped in the flour-and-water mixture on the balloon and let dry completely for another day.
- Repeat with one more layer, making sure you keep the four-inch square area uncovered.
- When the three layers are completely dry, pop the balloon and cut out the balloon "skin." The remaining hole is used for stuffing the piñata with goodies.
- Now you get to decorate your piñata! Use paint, crayons, markers, glitter, stickers, and whatever else you like to decorate your piñata just the way you like it. Here's a suggestion: hang colored crepe paper from the sides and bottom to make it look like a traditional piñata.
- Punch two small holes near the four-inch square area and thread a piece of string through the two holes.
- Fill your piñata (through the hole) with candy, toys, and whatever other goodies you want.
- Hang the piñata in the air with rope.
- Have fun!
What you need:
- Felt in two colors
- Self-stick Velcro squares
- Needle and thread or sewing machine
- Sewing scissors
Instructions:
- Cut a strip of yellow or orange felt, approximately 24 inches long (measure your own child to get a good sense of length) and 5 inches wide.
- Cut a piece of felt in alternate color about 10 inches long and four inches wide-this will be used to form the pocket area at the front of the tool belt.
- Taking the larger piece of felt, start at one end, two inches below the top of the felt, and begin trimming the piece to make a 2-inch belt that encircles the child's waist.
- After trimming for 6 inches, turn your scissors and begin to form a front flap that will be approximately 12 inches long and about 5 inches wide. Note: Once you're done trimming, your piece of felt should still be entirely intact, but on either side of the front flap, you'll have a strip of felt extending outward about 6 inches on either side from which you'll make the belt.
- Lay the smaller piece of felt on top of the front flap, leaving a small margin all around, and stitch around both sides and the bottom, forming a large pocket that is open on top. Then, make the large pocket into three small pockets for holding tool by stitching from the open top down to the bottom. You can choose to have three equal-sized pockets or two smaller ones on the side and one large one in the middle.
- Add Velcro to either end of your "belt" for easy attachment around the waist.
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